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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 






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SF 51 

copy 1 " ' 



The Animal Industry of the 
South-Past, Present, Future 



life dC- 

By Dr. VV. Hc*"6alrymple 

Professor of Veterinary Science, Louisiana State 
University and A. & M. College 



An Address Presented at the 

Cut-Over Land Conference of the South 

April 11, 12, 13, 1917, New Orleans, La. 






S 



The Animal Industry of the 
South — Past, Present and 

Future 

By Dr. W. H. Dahymple 

Professor of Veterinary Science, Louisiana State 
University and A. & M. College 

As regards the past of animal industry in the South, I do 
not believe it would aid us much at this time to dwell to any 
extent on the conditions that are behind us, unless it should be 
to utilize our remembrance of them, along with what we know 
of the present, to help us build more solidly for the future. 

There is one thought, however, which appeals to me very stop Playing 
strongly, viz., that if we expect to make the most out of our With Agricul- 
great agricultural and live stock possibilities in the future we ture 
will have to consider and treat them in a much more serious 
manner than has been the case in the past, or as some seem to 
view them even at the present time. 

Or, to quote a recent remark made by a prominent British 
agriculturist, as he views matters at the present time in that 
country, and which, in some degree at least, may apply to us, 
viz., "We can play with politics, :with industry, with law, and 
even with the consuming fires of civilized ( ?) warfare, but if we 
value the future of our country, and of our race, we cannot any 
longer afford to play with agriculture." 

The great cattle ranges of the West are rapidly being placed 
under cultivation to meet the demands of an ever-increasing pop- 
ulation, both natural and through immigration, and which may 
be largely added to after the world is again at peace, who have 
to be provided with occupations, and whose stomachs have to be 
filled. In fact, one of the greatest economic problems confront- 



World De- 
mands More 
Food 



ing us at the present moment is, how to increase the producing 
capacity of our soils, and extend our cultivable areas to the ut- 
most, even to our home gardens and backyards, not only to keep 
pace with our present-day requirements under normal conditions, 
but to meet a most abnormal state occasioned by our participa- 
tion in a world's conflict. The call for the highest standard of 
efficiency in the production and conservation of food does not 
come only to the American farmer, but the cry today comes 
from everywhere, for the mobilization of the world's agricultural 
resources, so that the people of different continents may not 
suffer for lack of the necessities of life. 

For some time, however, we have been brought face to face 
with the problem of the high cost of living, even before the pres- 
ent international crisis became so acute, and we have heard of 
many attempts, theoretical and otherwise, to reach an intelligent 
solution. Might we not, with appropriateness, ask ourselves the 
question : If agricultural conditions in the South had, all of 
these years, been in keeping with her possibilities, in the pro- 
duction of the daily necessities of our people, in the matter of 
food supplies, both animal and vegetable, would conditions, as 
we find them today, have been likely, even with the world in a 
state of war? I am inclined to think not! 

I believe, however, that the South will, before many decades 

have passed, be the great stock-raising section of the country, 

more particularly the meat-producing animals, and will, after we 

stop "playing with agriculture," be able to furnish both food for 

The South as our people and enough, and to spare, of the feed crops necessary 

the Nation's to develop and maintain a largely increased animal population. 



Hope 



In short, it is our belief that, ultimately, the South will have to 
come to the rescue in preventing the risk of any serious break 
in the equilibrium of our food supply, should that ever occur; 
and I also believe that she will be fully equal to the occasion. 

Up to the present, however, and in a general way, our 
Southern country has not even approached the point of maximum 
production, either in food crops, or in the number or quality of 
our live stock, to be able to successfully compete with other 
more advanced sections in the great metropolitan markets. And 
even if she had, especially in her cattle production, there are 
considerable areas from which her animals would be excluded 
from such markets because of Federal restrictions imposed on 



account of the presence of that most expensive pest, the cattle 
tick. 

It is gratifying to know, however, that total extermination The Tick a 
of this parasite is a question of only a few more years of co- Disappearing 
operative effort; and its accomplishment lies at the very foun- Menace 
dation of our general agricultural prosperity in the future. 

True, the cattle tick has militated very seriously against our 
progress in the production of improved cattle ; but our chief ob- 
struction, which I believe is now generally conceded, has been 
our almost universal system of single-cropping. 

Doubtless, and on account of the world-wide need for cot- 
ton, this system has, temporarily if you will, brought large re- 
turns to our people. 

But, under such a system, in which every other necessity of 
the farm and home has had to be purchased and paid for out of 
those returns, has the fertility of our soils been increased; has 
it increased their power to produce, or otherwise enhanced their 
value? I think not! 

On the other hand, had our general farming system been 
more along the lines of diversification and crop rotation, includ- 
ing cotton, necessarily, and, of course, live stock, and with in- 
telligent fertilization, with increased yields of both cash crops 
and those for consumption by our farm animals, and with a suf- 
ficiency of the latter crops to bring to prime market condition 
the meat-producing animals, such as cattle, sheep and hogs, and 
through them to market the farm feeds and forages at enhanced 
values, conditions might have assumed a very different aspect. 
In short, had such conditions prevailed, these many years, and 
with the South on equal footing with other sections of the coun- 
try, with reference to our great markets, is it reasonable to pre- 
sume, even under present abnormal conditions, that the cry 
about high-priced necessities would have had to be so vigorously 
proclaimed all over the land? 

But up to the present time it may be said that the South has Now is Time 
scarcely been reckoned as among the purveyors of the nation's for South to 
food supply. Act 

This condition, however, has got to change ; in fact, is doing 
so gradually, if not as rapidly as perhaps one could wish. At 
the^ same time, it is our humble, but candid, opinion that by 
taking full and immediate advantage of present opportunities, 



and with the further possibilities incident to the utilization of 
our extensive areas of unused and uncultivated land, the South, 
in a reasonably short period of time, should not only be able to 
clothe our people with her cotton and wool products, but should 
have a large share in the feeding of them with the cereals and 
their by-products, and with toothsome meat from her well-bred, 
well-fed, and high-grade cattle, hogs and sheep. 

We occasionally hear the remark that the South is a splen- 
did "poor man's country," on account of the ease with which a 
living may be made. 

South a Land Such a statement might be construed into a reflection upon 

of Infinite our past, or, in some cases, our present, farming methods. And 
yet it is a most eloquent indorsement of the fertility of our soils 
that they have been able to even support such methods. But 
what would be the result did our lands receive the treatment 
which would be bestowed upon them by a more intelligent sys- 
tem of husbandry; where the farmer made a more thorough 
study of his profession or calling; made a business of farming 
rather than a means to eke out a mere existence; who built up 
his soils ; aimed at maximum production ; varied his products, 
both in field crops and in live stock ; kept up with the markets ; 
rotated his crops, and strived to produce nothing but the very 
best his land would yield, and that the market demanded? To 
try to> even picture to ourselves the prosperity of our Southern 
country under such conditions would be practically impossible. 

And, yet, it is just such conditions that we must aim to real- 
ize, if we may hope to obtain to the full the results which our 
opportunities and possibilities have placed within our reach. 

Live stock is an absolute necessity on every well-regulated 
farm, not merely out of sentiment, as some still seem to think, 
but as a necessary adjunct to the business, that can be employed 
The Necessity as local factories, if you will, through which the cheaper raw 
for Live Stock materials grown may be converted into high-priced finished 
products, in the form of high-class beef, mutton, pork, etc., which 
can be marketed "on the hoof/' 

In fact, one could scarcely imagine a more inharmonious en- 
terprise, or a more discordant undertaking, than an otherwise 
modern farm holding without its due quota of improved live 
stock of different varieties. 



And yet, even today, it is not an uncommon sight to see 
nondescript animals occupying valuable space, on many of our 
farming properties, that are forced to eke out a precarious ex- 
istence, as best they can, or die in the effort. 

We all must admit, however, that the climate of the South 
is ideal for live stock husbandry, in all of its departments, from 
the growing of the food crops to the finishing of the product for 
market. 

Forage crops, in great variety, grow with a luxuriance that 
would "tickle the palate" and "whet the appetite" of the most 
fastidious and epicurean of our herbivorous animals. 

Among the legumes, it is only necessary to mention alfalfa, Forage Crops 
which may be used for grazing, for soiling, or for hay. Les- Abundant 
pedeza, our great Southern clover, which makes a most valuable 
hay, and enhances the value of our pasture when mixed with our 
native grasses. The cow pea, the soy bean, the velvet bean, the 
clovers and some of the vetches, etc., all furnish abundant and 
nutritious food for live stock. 

In short, the South has, or can have, a superabundance, both 
as to quantity and variety, of these most valuable nitrogen- 
gathering, soil-improving, and protein-producing forages, so im- 
portant for the upbuilding and maintenance of soil fertility, as 
well as the nutrition of animal life on the farm. 

In some sections of the South pasturage may be secured 
practically the year round by sowing almost any of the small 
cereals as catch crops, after the staple crops have been harvested, 
which yield abundantly during the fall and winter months, and 
furnish succulent food at a season of the year when such is in 
greatest need. 

Silage crops, also, in addition to corn, such as sorghum, etc., Many Useful 
and root crops of different varieties, produce with great abun- By-Products 
dance, and may be used to supply excellent succulent feed for 
cattle, hogs and sheep, after ordinary pasturage has been de- 
pleted by the summer's grazing. 

But while that which we have enumerated might appear as 
more than sufficient to meet all practical needs in the matter of 
live stock feed production, it is by no means all. In addition, 
there are the important by-products from our cotton fields; and 
in some parts of the South, those from our rice industry, and 
from our sugar cane fields and factories. 



With such possibilities, then, in our feed production, our 
abundance in cereal crops, our many nutritious hays, and other 
roughage supplies, our winter pasture crops and natural grazing, 
although much of the latter is yet to be availed of, and in the 
rich concentrates in the by-products of our cotton, rice and sugar, 
if the future of stock raising in the South should not appear 
bright, even to the most casual observer, one is inclined to won- 
der where else he would go to satisfy his desires in that branch 
of husbandry. 

That all varieties of farm animals do well in the South, it is 
only necessary to state that all of the principal breeds, and kinds, 
are already represented, including horses and mules, beef and 
dairy cattle, hogs and sheep. And not only so, but each has its 
organizations, in the different states, specially devoted to im- 
provement and greater development of the breeds. 
Legislation In addition to the increasing interest being displayed in our 

Fosters Live live stock production, most, if not all, of the Southern states 
Stock Raising h ave taken steps to protect, from the ravages of fatal animal 
diseases, this important industry. I refer to the enactment, by 
the different states, of suitable live stock sanitary legislation, 
and the creation or appointment of boards or commissions to see 
that it is carried into effect. 

Such legislation not only affords protection to the live stock 

interests of a state, but it gives encouragement to prospective 

immigrants who expect to make the production of live stock a 

feature of their farm practice. 

Providing There is one very important project, vitally connected with 

Markets for t ^ e jj ve s tock business, which should not be overlooked in these 

Live Stock remarks 

Hitherto, one of the chief drawbacks to the live stock in- 
dustry, especially in the more southerly states, has been the 
inaccessibility of the best markets, which has militated consider- 
ably against the more profitable disposal of stock, and, neces- 
sarily, has discouraged many producers. 

This unfortunate state of affairs will very shortly be cor- 
rected, however, by the erection and establishment of a large 
packing plant in the city of New Orleans, which will be oper- 
ated by the enterprising firm of Morris & Company. 

Such a plant will not only care for a large amount of our 
surplus stock, but will afford an immense stimulus to greater 

8 



and better production on the part of our people ; and we trust 
will prove entirely profitable to those responsible for the estab- 
lishment of the new and important enterprise. 

I believe all of us must be convinced of the South's unex- Every Facil- 
celled possibilities in live stock production, of which many of itu Available 
our people have already taken advantage, with profit to them- 
selves. 

We already have an abundance of food materials for animals 
that would surprise even a Northern or Western stockman, and 
these are capable of large increase. 

We have broad acres of unoccupied fertile lands which 
simply await the touch of the intelligent husbandman in order 
to spring into full fruition, and add more wealth and prosperity 
to our Southern country. 

We have representatives of almost every breed and variety 
of live stock, and an increasing interest constantly being mani- 
fested in their greater development. 

We have adequate legislation, in practically all of the South- 
ern states, to afford protection against the fatal diseases to which 
farm animals are susceptible, and which gives encouragement to 
those engaged in the industry.. 

We have our State Boards of Agriculture to look after and 
foster the industry from the standpoint of the state. 

We have our State Colleges of Agriculture and our Experi- 
ment Stations, and our various branches of Agricultural Exten- 
sion Service, all bending their efforts to educate and inform our 
citizens, and encourage and increase interest in this great work. 

In short, we not only have the materials to work with, but, 
in addition, various and important agencies laboring, in an edu- 
cational way, for the good of the cause; and which are being 
more and more taken advantage of by our people, and through 
which advancement is being made. 

And we now have one of the most valuable aids to the stock Cheap Money 
grower in the development of his industry, viz., the privilege of a Help 
the use of money, which he may obtain on reasonable terms, 
through the medium of the recently established Federal Farm 
Loan Banks. 

One would naturally imagine, therefore, that all of the needs 
of the South had already been amply provided, and that nothing 
more was necessary but to go ahead and prosper; and in a meas- 



Present 
Encouraging 
and Future 
Bright 



ure that is quite true. However, while possession of the raw 
material is of the first importance, we cannot expect to make 
the most out of it unless we intelligently employ the appropriate 
tools or machinery through which to bring it to a state of per- 
fection in the finished product. And so it is with our possibili- 
ties ; they are not going to benefit us as they should unless we 
use every effort, and take advantage of every opportunity, to 
develop them to their highest state of perfection. 

In emphasizing one or two of our most important needs, as 
I see them, I will say, in the first place, that we must double our 
efforts to wipe the cattle tick from off the map of the Southern 
states. This is a fundamental necessity in connection with the 
future success of our cattle industry at least, and that is perhaps 
the most important. 

In the second place, we need more and better live stock 
through which to market our food crops, and help increase and 
maintain the fertility of our lands; and we need our own people 
to devote more time and study to the rational and business sides 
of animal husbandry and general farming. 

In the third place, we need an open market, anywhere and 
everywhere, and at all times, especially for our cattle, which will 
depend solely, however, upon the total extermination of the cattle 
tick from the Southern states, and upon which, likewise, depends 
the improvement of our cattle, through the influence of improved 
animals, particularly males, that can then be imported from the 
best herds of the country; and 

In the fourth place, we need more immigration of the de- 
sirable, intelligent and industrious farmer-stockman class, whose 
life and business experience have hitherto been devoted to the 
branches of stock raising and general agriculture, which we be- 
lieve the South stands in greatest need of, at the present time, 
for her general agricultural upbuilding. 

Good object lessons are, in great measure, what we require; 
and this is, I believe, the kind of help we need, and want, to 
assist us develop our great natural resources, and, as we all be- 
lieve, our unparalleled possibilities. 

In summing up, therefore, I believe we can pass over the 
past of the live stock industry of the South; but we can say that 
the present is encouraging, and that the future seems bright. 



10 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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